Telephone

Long gone are the days when you could only get your phone from one or two providers.

Now you can choose from a wide range of companies and packages can be bought as stand-alone services or as part of bundled deals alongside digital TV and broadband services.

If you’ve decided to switch then the first thing you need to do is tell your new phone company your phone number and your postcode.

It will liaise with your existing phone company and both companies will then write to you to confirm the transfer and the date on which it will take place.

You only need to reply to these letters if you decide not to go ahead with the transfer. It is a good idea to keep all the paperwork safe for future reference.

You should check with your new phone company to find out if there is likely to be a gap in your phone service – and whether this `downtime ` could be avoided.

There is always a `cooling off’ period when you have the right to change your mind about the transfer.

Domestic customers and small businesses shouldn’t normally have to pay any charges for canceling during this period, although you may want to check with your new phone company first.

If you change your mind or there has been a mistake about the transfer, you should contact your new phone company straight away.

If you do not have contact details for the new phone company, you should contact your existing phone company who may be able to tell you their contact details.

Do not sign any documents unless you are sure that you want to enter into a contract and are authorised to do so.

Contracts

Before signing for a new phone service, you should read the small print in the contract very carefully.

Check what sort of contract it is and how long it will last. In particular, what are the arrangements for ending the contract and are there any penalties for ending the contract before the end of its minimum period?

Remember also to check your existing contract in the same way.

Be sure to choose a company that sends you your bills as often as you want and if you prefer to check your statements online, make sure they have this option. Similarly, if you want to have your bill itemised then make sure they provide this service.

Also, will they allow you to choose a payment method that suits you – such as monthly direct debit, for example.

Also, check what will happen if you have difficulty paying the bill, and whether there are any fees for disconnection or reconnection.